Bi-Fuel Option Will Increase GM HD Pickups' Price by $11,000

Option Available for Ordering April 19

With prices at the pump continuing to creep upward, commercial fleets are looking for ways to cut fuel costs, and natural gas is emerging as an attractive option. General Motors has just announced pricing for its Sierra and Silverado HD pickups with the bi-fuel (gasoline and compressed natural gas) option, adding $11,000 to the cost of the base truck.

While that is not a trivial sum, GM notes that fueling up with CNG can save $5000 to $10,000 over a three-year period, depending on driving habits and fuel use. With the current average price of CNG going for less than $2 per gallon equivalent, there is a case to be made for the flexibility. The Duramax diesel option is $8395 with the mandatory Allison six-speed automatic. Nationwide diesel fuel prices have averaged more than $4 a gallon since last year.

The bi-fuel trucks are covered by GM's standard three-year/36,000-mile new vehicle and five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and meet all EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission certification requirements. The trucks are built in Fort Wayne, Ind., and outfitted with the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system at a Tier One supplier for final delivery.